Minutes after a security company reaction officer killed a 53-year-old man, he allegedly turned the gun on himself.

The incidents occurred on October 11 at about 06:45 at separate locations.

According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the victim was on his way to work when he was called by the 41-year-old reaction officer.

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“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim and the reaction officer knew each other. It is also alleged that about a month ago the reaction officer visited the victim and warned him to stay away from his wife.
The two allegedly had a heated argument at the post office boxes at Sonpark Boulevard.

“According to a friend of the victim at the scene, he heard gunshots. When he turned around he was shocked to see his friend lying on the ground, with gunshot wounds. His body was covered in blood,” said Mohlala.

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He added that the reaction officer drove off from the scene in a company vehicle and minutes later he turned his gun on himself, taking his own life. The reaction officer’s body was found in the vehicle at a different but nearby location on the R40 in Barberton’s direction.

Both the victim and the reaction officer were declared dead by paramedics.

Police are investigating a murder case as well as an inquest.

Read full story in the Lowvelder edition of October 12.